“If you expose kids to a lot of different people of different races, ethnicities, I think that will make them more open-minded.” “I think that the main thing is to get kids into seeing people of different backgrounds, because their perspectives are really malleable,” Palo Alto High School senior Charlize Nguyen, who identifies as Southeast Asian, says. “When you see a lot of Asians in the media, we’re either foreign, or we’re seen as hypersexualized.” The two collide when their goals clash, delivering a compelling message about responsibility and individuality.
Like Raya, she’s a warrior who’s on the path to lead her people.
#Raya and the last dragon landscape movie
The antagonist of the movie is Namari, the princess of a neighboring land. Instead, she trains to be a warrior and guardian of a family artifact. While Raya is a princess, that doesn’t mean she floats around in fancy clothes looking for love. The movie is filled with impactful messages, from the importance of family to breaking century-old gender stereotypes. The filmmakers weren’t afraid to use unorthodox angles, adding movement and majesty to already-stunning scenes.īut it’s not only the visuals that add beauty to the film. It tilts and turns with the landscape, jumps and jolts with the action. Whether it’s dust rumbling off the desert floor or rain trickling down a stone statue, the movie is packed with beautiful details that add a jolt of life to the fictional world.Īs fluid as the water it captures, the cinematography of “Raya” is smooth, sweeping and powerful. Beautiful in more than one wayĬompleted from homes during the pandemic, “Raya” presents a moving story through stunning visuals. Featuring a cast of Asian voice actors including Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina and Daniel Dae Kim, the film is the first Disney movie to feature a Southeast Asian princess. Released on March 5 in theaters and on Disney+ for an additional fee, the film follows Raya, a warrior who sets out to find the last remaining dragon in order to stop evil forces from destroying her Southeast Asian-inspired land called Kumandra. And a beautiful backdrop of culture and representation that, while missing vital pieces, reaches new heights for Disney. A strong protagonist speaking forceful messages. There’s a forgotten fountain, a lush jungle, a red afternoon sun. Within seconds of “Raya and the Last Dragon,” Disney’s latest animated movie, your jaw has dropped to the floor.